Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1887-06-10
CAPT. WEATHERBY's GIFT,

many queer things in the GLOWING ash
es' The 'help"-they do not keen ser.
san's,-had gone to bed and the house
was smut up for the night. No one was
expected and it was too late for callers
y .nere was a mutual start of alarm
On .ne part Of the pair when the door
oerr rang IN that sudden way.
Iing-a-ling-a-ling- -ling-a-lipc,
erby said: ~
Mercy me, who is there, do YOU SIN.
poseP' =" sup
Like as not it's telegram, y replied
the captain. oN
linen he went to the door The wire
OF that indigant bell was st Il vibrating
anu the tongue itself had just stopped
wagg'ng, and yet when the eautain
opened the door. not a soul was visible.
The soft, light flakes of the last snow Of
The season drifted into h. face. and fell
cola and wet on his cheeks. Mrs.
Weatherby was close behind, and OK.
claimed:
mercy me! 1t was nobody"
moi even the cat" said her hus-
band. ''Old Prim can do a sight of
mischief. but she can't ring door-bells
1t was some pesky boy. suppose. who
thought he'd play smart and then run
for it,"
whats that on the door-stepe" ask
CD Mrs. Weatherby, suddenly.
ITS drift" said the captain. II
tell you what Mary. there'l be a
nor'-easter onght, nor east by nor.
with wind that Il make the sails rat.
tie. It's getlin' up now," and he drew
in his uncovered head, and was about
to shut the hall door.
"1here is something down there, ST.
las sa d his wife, "right on the top
step. Looks just like u big bundle"
he captain peered out again.
Its right you are my hearty. Sure
rs you live it's basket" and lie touch
co it with his foot
"Ch, it's the groceries for to-mor-
row; that careless boy forgot them. No
wonder he ran away when he rang the
bell! Fetch 'em in, Slas, and leave
them in the back parlor tonight. Han
nah will see them the first thing in the
morning!'
Better take them into the caboose-
! mean the Kitchen" said the captain.
mo; it's locked up. Put 'em on
that chair by the door. Ugh! Pm
shiverin' with the cold air. and the
good woman sat down in front OF the
comfortable GOALS again.
We've heap to be thankful for,
Mary" sa d the captain thoughtfully.
''Y.e s, s'pose SO" sighed his wife;
she was thinking just then OF two Little
graves at Marblehead. They had been
made nigh on to twenty years ago, and
the vacancy in her heart and life had
never been filed
At that moment queer little waiing
cry rang through the room. The two
started and looked at each other.
"Sakes alive! Why what was that?"
asked Mrs. Weatherby.
1T came out of that basket said
the captain; 'that fool of boy has
been and slowed hand in the fo' cas-
ile-I mean n kitten" and he stalked
pver to it and jerked off the cover.
'By the great horn spoon!'' he ex'
claimed. as he jumped back about four
Eeet; it's baby!'
"Mercy mel" said his wife; where
did it come fromP"
'.From the skies, I should say; that
what the bell rang for. Well, 1 mus
say this is an imposition. :"
Mrs. Weatherby was looking curl
pusly into the basket; all she saw was
rags, two bright smiling eyes, and
little round head covered with darl
hair-a wee bit of baby, deserted ant
llone.
I'll 20 for the police said the cap
tain angrily; ''shiver my timbers
I'm going to have people starving theil
babies on my doorstep when there's
places provided for them as are deSti-
tute. The pol ce VII make short work
Of it, Mary"
"They won't kill it, will theyP' ask
ed kind Mrs. Weatherby in q horriiie'
ione.'
"Well. No, wife; that's against tn
law. But they'll take it where sucf
waves Che meant waifs) belong l
you amt afraid to stay alone Ill rul
ont TO the next corner and fetch one.
When the captain returned with thu
policeman he had to stop to explain the
exact spot where they found the basket
now the bell had rung, etc, and so II
was n full hour or more before they go
into tho back parlor. There Mrs
Weatherby sat with the object rolled ~
in q shawl, living in her lap and bask
inc contentedly in the rays of the IRE.
"Here we are" said tho captain IN
brisk tone. Now, Mr.. Policeman. vol
can take the youngster of in the pasNe
1t come in can't you?'
ITS nice boy" said the pol ceman'
ookino down on the tiny head bask'nt